The Names of God - The Portion of Jacob

The Portion of Jacob 

Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name. Jeremiah 10:16 (ESV)

Many consider Abraham to be Jewish. He was not. He was Hebrew, but not a Jew. Israel, and consequently the Jewish people, came into existence when God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. 

The name, Portion of Jacob, speaks of the value of God. The Hebrew word “kheleq” refers to land lots given as an inheritance or share. Those portions of land were probably the most important and valuable possession a Jew could have. They were a source of life and sustenance. It was their part of the Promised Land given to them by God. In the case of the Levites, God was the one who provided for them, and they had no need to own land. 

When Israel were slaves in Egypt, they had nothing of their own. God delivered them from captivity, brought them into a land “flowing with milk and honey,” and gave every family a piece of ground they could call their own. This not only provided for their needs, but also gave them a sense of worth and wellbeing.

When Jacob was younger he swindled his twin brother’s “first born” inheritance. For reasons only God knows, Jacob was chosen over Esau to be God’s “chosen” people. That’s when God made covenant with Jacob, changing his name to Israel. They were blessed. They lived in abundance. When famine came to the region, God had already placed Joseph in a position of authority in Egypt and was able to provide for Israel and his family to survive, and even to thrive in a foreign land.

When the tide turned against them in Egypt, Israel became captives and forced into slavery. God kept his promise to Jacob/Israel because of the covenant made between God and Jacob. The Portion of Jacob never went back on His promise. He sent a deliverer to bring them out of slavery and carry them to a “promised” land, The Portion of Jacob, called Canaan.

Even though Jacob had gained an inheritance by deceit, God legitimized the true inheritance of Israel and showing the world that The Portion of Jacob is always faithful.

This is all a precursor to what God did for you and me. Our inheritance was lost by Adam. We had no hope, no future, no means of providing for our needs, our sense of worth, and wellbeing. In the Garden, the very day Adam lost our birthright, God made a promise that was eventually fulfilled by Jesus becoming our freedom from captivity. He carried us to a place of fellowship with our Creator, and introduced us to The Portion of Jacob, whose name is now The Portion of Dudley (place your name here). He leads us now by the Holy Spirit to places flowing with milk and honey and gives us back our freedom in exchange for fellowship with Him.

God chose you over everything else, including His own Son, so you could have abundant life. Take it! Live it! There is still more ahead of you than behind you. Take hold of The Portion of Jacob as your very own … and live.